Who hasn’t dreamed of strong, healthy, and radiant nails that boost self-confidence and attract everyone’s admiration? These small aesthetic assets reflect our self-care and contribute to a polished image. But between external aggressions, household chores, and bad habits, our nails can quickly become dull and brittle. Don’t panic! Thanks to a few simple and natural tips that L’Africaine is offering you today in this article, you can bring your nails back to life and flaunt sublime hands.
Why Strong Nails?
Beyond their undeniable aesthetic appeal, strong nails play an essential role in our daily lives. They protect our fingers from shocks and aggressions, and their condition can even be an indicator of our overall health. Healthy nails are a sign of a well-nourished and balanced body.
The Causes of Brittle Nails
Numerous factors can weaken our nails.
Lack of hydration makes them more prone to breakage.
An unbalanced diet, poor in essential vitamins and minerals, can also weaken them.
The frequent use of harsh chemical products, such as nail polish removers, attacks the nail’s keratin.
Finally, some bad habits, such as biting your nails or using them as tools, can damage them considerably.
Natural Tips for Strong Nails
Deep Hydration:
Hydration is the key to any nail care routine. Applying a vegetable oil daily, such as olive, sweet almond, or jojoba oil, deeply nourishes the nail matrix and cuticles. For an even more intense action, do warm oil baths once a week.
Don’t forget to wear household gloves to protect your hands from the aggressions of household products.
A Balanced Diet:
A varied diet rich in nutrients is essential for the health of your nails. Prioritize foods rich in biotin, vitamin C, iron, and zinc, such as eggs, seafood, leafy green vegetables, and nuts. These nutrients promote nail growth and strengthen its structure.
Natural Care:
Lemon juice is an excellent natural whitener for nails. Apply a few drops to your nails and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
Garlic also helps a lot in strengthening nails. Put chopped garlic cloves in your nail protective base before applying your polish or even between two coats of polish.
You can also make hand masks with natural ingredients, such as avocado or honey, for intense hydration.
Gentle Manicure:
To preserve the health of your nails, adopt a gentle manicure whether it’s done by yourself or in a salon.
Use an acetone-free remover, which is less aggressive to the nail.
File your nails in the same direction and with a soft file, avoiding sawing motions that weaken the nail.
Space out the application of false nails and opt for quality methods to avoid damaging or even rotting the nails due to overly strong or low-quality glues.
And above all, let your nails breathe regularly between coats of polish.
The Benefits of Essential Oils
Certain essential oils, such as lemon, lavender, or myrtle oil, are particularly beneficial for nails. They strengthen the nail plate, stimulate growth, and provide a pleasant scent. Mix a few drops of essential oil with a vegetable oil and gently massage your nails and cuticles.
Dietary Supplements
In case of persistent deficiencies, dietary supplements based on keratin, biotin, and B vitamins can be considered. However, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional before taking them.
Having strong and healthy nails is within everyone’s reach, provided you adopt the right gestures and take care of yourself with pleasure, a lot of willpower, and a dose of perseverance. By combining a balanced diet, natural care, and a gentle manicure, you can flaunt sublime hands and nails that radiate health. Remember that patience is key: the results are not immediate, but the efforts will be rewarded.